Top 30 fastest-growing jobs by 2018

By

Boston.com Staff

December 27, 2013

—istockphoto

If you’re considering switching careers or are just starting to think about where to start yours, this is the list for you: The US Bureau of Labor Statistics projections of the 30 fastest-growing careers.

The projections, which are updated every two years, show that the total number of people employed in the United States will have increased 10.1 percent — by 15.3 million — between 2008 and 2018. However, some jobs will grow at a much faster rate during that period.

(Sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Occupational Outlook Handbook and Career Guide to Industries)

30. Fitness trainers and aerobics instructors

—ARAM BOGHOSIAN FOR THE BOSTON GLOBE

Projected increase in 2018: 29.4 percent

Number employed in 2008: 261,000

Median pay in 2008: $29,210

Education/training: Getting certified by one of the top certification organizations is becoming increasingly important, especially for personal trainers.

Job outlook: Aging baby boomers, one group that increasingly is becoming concerned with staying healthy and physically fit, will be the main driver of employment growth in fitness workers.

29. Occupational therapist assistants

—Wiqan Ang/Globe Staff

Projected increase in 2018: 29.8 percent

Number employed in 2008: 27,000

Median pay in 2008: $50,830

Education/training: Occupational therapist assistants must attend a school accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education in order to sit for the national certifying exam for occupational therapist assistants.

Job outlook: The growing elderly population is particularly vulnerable to chronic and debilitating conditions that require therapeutic services. These patients often need additional assistance in their treatment, making the roles of assistants and aides vital.

28. Environmental engineering technicians

Education/training: Most employers prefer to hire someone with a two-year associate degree or other postsecondary training in engineering technology.

Job outlook: Competitive pressures will force companies to improve and update manufacturing facilities and product designs, although increased efficiencies and automation of many support activities will curtail job growth for engineering technicians.

27. Personal financial advisers

—istockphoto

Projected increase in 2018: 30.1 percent

Number employed in 2008: 208,000

Median pay in 2008: $69,050

Education/training: The minimum requirement for a financial adviser is a bachelor’s degree. However, it’s a field in which workers frequently attend training courses to keep up with changes in the industry.

Job outlook: Although this is expected to be one of the top 10 fastest-growing occupations, competition for new jobs is expected to be tough. Again, this industry’s growth can be attributed in large part to the millions of baby boomers who will soon retire.

26. Physical therapists

Education/training: The American Physical Therapy Association’s accrediting body accredits entry-level academic programs in physical therapy. A graduate degree and state licensing are required.

Job outlook:Changes to restrictions on reimbursement for physical therapy services by third-party payers will increase patient access to services and, thus, increase demand. The increasing elderly population will drive growth in the demand for physical therapy services.

25. Survey researchers

Education/training: A bachelor’s degree is the minimum educational requirement for many market and survey research jobs. However, a master’s degree is usually required for more technical positions.

Job outlook:Survey researchers will increase much faster than average as public policy groups and all levels of governments increasingly use public opinion research to help determine a variety of issues.

24. Computer software and systems software engineers

Education/training: A bachelor’s degree and experience with a variety of software and systems are a must. However, engineers are expected to continue to educate themselves in the latest technology.

Job outlook:This occupation will grow as the demand for computer networking skills, particularly at companies, increases. The need for new Internet applications, system safety, and upgrading are a few of the specific needs this job handles.

23. Pharmacy technicians

—Lucas Jackson/REUTERS

Projected increase in 2018: 30.6 percent

Number employed in 2008: 326,000

Median pay in 2008:$28,500

Education/training: No formal training required. In most states, pharmacy technicians must be registered with the state board of pharmacy. In some states applicants must possess a high school diploma or its equivalent and pay an application fee.

Job outlook:The increased number of middle-aged and elderly people—who use more prescription drugs than younger people—will spur demand for pharmacy workers throughout the projection period. In addition, as scientific advances lead to new drugs, and as more people obtain prescription drug coverage, pharmacy workers will be needed in growing numbers.

22. Environmental engineers

—JOSH REYNOLDS FOR THE BOSTON GLOBE

Projected increase in 2018: 30.6 percent

Number employed in 2008: 54,000

Median pay in 2008:$74,020

Education/training: A bachelor’s degree in engineering is required for almost all entry-level engineering jobs. College graduates with a degree in a natural science or mathematics occasionally may qualify for some engineering jobs.

Job outlook:A shift in emphasis toward preventing problems rather than controlling those which already exist, as well as increasing public health concerns resulting from population growth, also are expected to spur demand for environmental engineers.

21. Occupational therapist aides

—Seth Wenig/AP Photo

Projected increase in 2018: 30.7 percent

Number employed in 2008: 8,000

Median pay in 2008:$28,890

Education/training: Occupational therapist aides usually receive most of their training on the job. Qualified applicants must have a high school diploma, strong interpersonal skills, and a desire to help people in need.

Job outlook:The growing elderly population is particularly vulnerable to chronic and debilitating conditions that require therapeutic services. These patients often need additional assistance in their treatment, making the roles of assistants and aides vital.

20. Compliance officers*

—Jack Hardmann/Bloomberg News

Projected increase in 2018: 31.1 percent

Number employed in 2008: 260,000

Median pay in 2008:$53,760

Education/training/job outlook: Varies (e.g. loan officer or claims adjuster, as pictured; see this list for details). Purpose is to examine, evaluate, and investigate eligibility for or conformity with laws and regulations governing contract compliance of licenses and permits, and other compliance and enforcement inspection activities not classified elsewhere.

18. Veterinarians

—Douglas M. Bovitt/AP Photo

Projected increase in 2018: 33.0 percent

Number employed in 2008: 60,000

Median pay in 2008: $79,050

Education/training: Veterinarians must complete a four-year post-grad program to receive a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine. That’s no easy task — admission to veterinary school is competitive. Before practicing, veterinarians must also be licensed by the state.

Job outlook: Pet owners are increasingly seeking nontraditional services, such as preventative dental care. Advances in the field are also allowing veterinarians to offer procedures common for humans, including hip replacement, blood transfusions, and cancer treatment, creating a need for more professionals.

17. Physical therapist assistants

—David J. Phillip/AP Photo

Projected increase in 2018: 33.3 percent

Number employed in 2008: 64,000

Median pay in 2008: $46,300

Education/training: PTAs are required to complete an accredited, two-year program that combines semesters of academic study and hands-on clinical experience. After completing the program, PTAs must be accredited by the American Physical Therapy Association. Depending on the state of employment additional testing and licensing may be required.

Job outlook: Job opportunities should be particularly good in acute hospital, skilled nursing, and orthopedic settings, where the elderly are most often treated. Job prospects should be especially favorable in rural areas, as many physical therapists tend to cluster in highly populated urban and suburban areas.

16. Medical assistants

Education/training: A one-year certificate or two-year associate’s degree program is often required, but medical assistants also receive specific on-the-job training from their employer.

Job outlook: The medical industry is expected to expand because of technological advances and the growing elderly population. As the health care industry expands, more practices and clinics requiring large support staffs are opening.

15. Computer applications software engineers

—Joe Giblin/Globe File Photo

Projected increase in 2018: 34.0 percent

Number employed in 2008: 515,000

Median pay in 2008:$85,430

Education/training: Those with practical experience and at least a bachelor’s degree in a computer-related field should have the best opportunities. Employers will continue to seek computer professionals with strong programming, systems analysis, interpersonal, and business skills.

14. Dental assistants

Education/training: In most states, there are no formal education or training requirements to become an entry-level dental assistant.

Job outlook: There will be many opportunities for entry-level positions, but some dentists prefer to hire experienced assistants, those who have completed a dental-assisting program, or have met state requirements to take on expanded functions within the office.

13. Veterinary technologists and assistants

—Mark Wilson/Globe Staff

Projected increase in 2018: 35.8 percent

Number employed in 2008: 80,000

Median pay in 2008: $28,900

Education/training: Most entry-level veterinary technicians have a 2-year associate degree from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA)-accredited community college program. All states require passing a credentialing exam following coursework.

Job outlook: Veterinary technologists will enjoy excellent job opportunities due to the relatively few graduates from 4- year programs—about 500 annually.

12. Dental hygienists

Education/training: Dental hygienists must get a state license to practice. A degree from dental hygiene school is also usually required.

Job outlook: The demand for dental services will grow because of population growth, older people increasingly retaining more teeth, and a growing emphasis on preventative dental care. To help meet this demand, facilities that provide dental care, particularly dentists’ offices, will increasingly employ dental hygienists, often to perform services that have been performed by dentists in the past.

10. Athletic trainers

—Jim Davis/Globe Staff

Projected increase in 2018:37.0 percent

Number employed in 2008: 16,000

Median pay in 2008: $39,640

Education/training: A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university is required for almost all jobs as an athletic trainer. In 2009, 47 states required athletic trainers to be licensed or registered.

Job outlook: Job prospects should be good for athletic trainers in the healthcare industry and in high schools. Those looking for a position with a professional or college sports team may face competition.

9. Biochemists and biophysicists

—Essdras M. Suarez/Globe Staff

Projected increase in 2018: 37.4 percent

Number employed in 2008: 23,000

Median pay in 2008: $54,230

Education/training: A PhD is usually necessary for independent research, particularly in academia, as well as for advancement to administrative positions. A bachelor’s or master’s degree is sufficient for some jobs in applied research, product development, management, or inspection.

Job outlook: Biological scientists enjoyed very rapid employment gains over the past few decades—reflecting, in part, the growth of the biotechnology industry.

8. Skin care specialists

Education/training: Training programs for skin care specialists can be found in both high schools and post-secondary vocational schools.

Job outlook: Estheticians are the skin care specialists who will likely see the most job growth, but all parts of the industry are expected to expand as more skin treatments become available in spas and medical facilities.

7. Physician assistants

—Suzanne Kreiter/Globe Staff

Projected increase in 2018: 39.0 percent

Number employed in 2008: 75,000

Median pay in 2008: $81,230

Education/training: Physician assistant educational programs usually take at least 2 years to complete for full-time students. Most programs are at schools of allied health, academic health centers, medical schools, or 4-year colleges.

Job outlook: Physicians and institutions are expected to employ more PAs to provide primary care and to assist with medical and surgical procedures because PAs are cost-effective and productive members of the healthcare team.

4. Personal and home care aides

—Janet Knott/Globe Staff Photo

Projected increase in 2018: 46.0 percent

Number employed in 2008: 817,000

Median pay in 2008: $19,690

Education/training: Some states only require on-the-job training; other states may require formal training that can be completed at community colleges, vocational schools, home health care agencies, and elder care programs.

Job outlook: Rapid job growth is expected because of the projected rise in the number of elderly people, who are increasingly relying on home care.

3. Home health aides

—Globe Staff Photo, file

Projected increase in 2018: 50.0 percent

Number employed in 2008: 922,000

Median pay in 2008: $21,440

Education/training: Home health aides are not required to have a high school diploma; they receive most of their training on the job from experienced aides or nurses. Classroom training, lectures, and workshops may be required depending on employer.

Job outlook: While personal and home care aides provide mostly housekeeping and routine services, home health aides provide more extensive health care than family and friends can manage. A growing demand for home services among the elderly and the pressure to contain costs by moving patients home sooner will make home health aides one of the fastest growing aide professions. A possible downside, however, is that most employers only hire on-call hourly workers and do not offer benefits.